data transfer

sathish · Post by **sathish** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:58 pm

i am having a plan where the amount of data i can download is set to 1gb a month. If i had to leave the magicjack on 24 X 7, with say an average use of 30min of talk time a day, how much will be the data transfer for a month be? Does MJ use a small amount of data movements continuously to keep its server notified that the inbound call should not be diverted to voice mail? There was a talk about using thinclient to reduce the power consumption. Doesn't the thinclient need to be connected to the server continuously for transfer of processed info? Since i know you guys are using it, i know it should be working. But i guess that is a basic info about thinclient i would like to know. Unfortunately thinclients are not available in India or exorbitantly expensive. Thanks in advance for taking the time to address this minuscule issues.

LikeMagic · Post by **LikeMagic** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:30 pm

Yes, MJ softphone running in your PC would communicate with MJ server very often. Based on what I observe, MJ softphone will "check in" with MJ server every 3 minutes.

But I don't think you really know what you're asking here. If you have 1GB data limit (I assume it's a wireless data card plan) and you'd leave your PC connecting to the internet 24/7 then "behind the scene" internet traffic (such as DNS queries, incoming queries from the ISP. junk queries from other malicious servers, etc) would also eat up your 1GB data plan very rapidly. If you have only 1GB data limit, I'd use it only "on demand" and not 24/7. So basically, using 1GB data plan 24/7 with MJ is not recommended.

codaine · Post by **codaine** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:41 pm

I think I have to object here.

If MJ uses G.729, which is 6.4 to 11.8 kbits per second codec, we can assume 9.1kbps codec.

So, having 2 way G.729 stream for a second is 18.2 kbps, for a minute is 1092kbits, which makes 32760kbits for 30mins and 982800 kbits for 30days
982800kbits is 122850 KB, which is roughly 120MB.

Let's assume SIP, STUN, DNS, and other tiny packages take 10 MB a day (which is WAY TOO MUCH for those)

That'd make 420MB for a month, with over estimated values.

I think you can just use 1GB limited connection with MJ, provided you will be careful on web browsing and downloads.

sathish · Post by **sathish** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:33 pm

Thanks both of you for telling about the data usage. I actually have a DSL plan, which has a download limit of 1gig. So reading both your info, i can assume, if i keep the internet browser off and only the magicjack struck in 24 X 7, i would use around 420mb. i will try to find out what is practically happening at my end and try to post, if i have some sensible answer.

LikeMagic · Post by **LikeMagic** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:35 pm

I believe MJ is still using G.711 64kbps codec. MJ quotes 80kbps usage (I assume for overhead). MJ may have switched over to using G.729 codec. Let me check on this.

what I'm saying is, it's not just MJ data consuming data 24/7 by itself. Be aware of other misc incoming/outgoing data that are parts of staying connecting to the internet 24/7. That's not counting the actual data transfer used during actual internet usage such as email, net surfing, video/music streaming.

BTW, that was a very good break-down of MJ data usage (provided that if MJ uses G.729 codec.)

Update: I just captured a MJ call using Wireshark, MJ is still using G.711 codec:

> RTP PT=ITU-T G.711 PCMA

G.711 codec uses more bandwidth than G.729 codec. G.711 codec is loyalty-free, while G.729 is not. And knowing MJ trying to save money, they'd rather use G.711 than G.729 codec